Welcoming a new season: This time of year, Gates Ajar in Como Park straddles summer and fall. Photo: Sarah Hustad
You Could Fill Our Board Vacancy
District 10 is seeking candidates to fill a board vacancy from South Como and Energy Park. The deadline to get on the ballot is this Tuesday, Oct. 9.

Any renter, homeowner, or community member who is age 18 or older and lives in Sub-District 4 is eligible to run. So are authorized representatives from a business or nonprofit organization located in Sub-District 4. (Sub-District 4 essentially is any part of District 10 between the railroad tracks; it stretches from Dale St. west to Snelling.)

The special election will be at the next District 10 board meeting, Tuesday Oct. 16, beginning at 7 p.m. Community members living in Sub-District 4 and sitting board members are eligible to vote. The candidate elected will fill the remainder of the vacant term -- until April 23, 2019.

See District 10's website for more information on the commitments of a board member.
District 10 Seeks Organizer
The Como Community Council is seeking a part-time Community Organizer to lead outreach to rental communities in the neighborhood. The application deadline is Oct. 31.  The position pays $15/hour for a minimum of 200 hours between the start date and May 31, 2019.  You can download a PDF of the full job description from the District 10 website.

Applicants should submit a letter stating their interest, qualifications, and relevant experience. 
  • Email your letter as a PDF, or
  • Mail your letter to: District 10 Como Community Council, 1224 Lexington Parkway N, Saint Paul, MN 55103
Photo: WCCO
Hope You Didn't Forget This
A reminder: Today, Friday Oct. 5, is the new trash day for District 10 residents east of Hamline, as well as residents in Energy Park. Use your new city cart; if you continue to use a cart from your previous hauler, trash probably won't get picked up. (For District 10 residences west of Hamline and north of the railroad tracks, trash day is Monday.) Recycling day remains Friday for the entire neighborhood; just be sure to keep the two carts at least 2 feet apart, so the mechanical arms can grab them. 

If your hauler has not yet picked up your old cart, store it outdoors in an accessible place -- but don't use it. Haulers are supposed to pick up the old carts by Nov. 2, but won't pick them up if there is trash in them. Got questions? See the city's website. 
St. Andrew's Proponents Schedule Forum
Save Historic Saint Andrew's hosts a community forum this Thursday, Oct. 11. The forum features:
  • Thomas Fisher, director of the Minnesota Design Center, speaking about adaptive reuse of historic structures
  • Architectural historian Rolf Anderson, speaking about the group's efforts to gain historic designation for the former church building
The free forum is Oct. 11, 7-8:30 p.m., at Mission Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 1040 Como Ave. 
Get More Connected
The first-ever Como Connect -- a free, neighborhood resource fair -- debuts next Saturday, Oct. 13. It's a chance to see, in one place, how much the community has to offer.

The event features organizations and activities focused on aging in place, caring for children, keeping Como Lake clean, improving do-it-yourself skills, things you can do at home to improve your environmental impact, urban agriculture, keeping your home and loved ones safe, and much more. The family-friendly event includes giveaways and activities for children.

Como Connect is Oct. 13 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church, 670 W. Wheelock Parkway. 
Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
A free seminar -- Scam Proof Your Finances: Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft -- takes place on Wednesday Oct. 17. The workshop (presented by LSS Financial Counseling, TopLine Federal Credit Union, and District 10) features:
  • Ways identity theft happens
  • Steps to stop it
  • How to use a "deter-detect-defend" strategy to minimize your risk
The seminar is open to anyone; in this technological age, that includes children, teens, and adults. Admission is free, but registration is required. Call 763-391-9494. 
Way to Go, People!
Since Sept. 1, more than 85 District 10 residents have agreed to "adopt a drain." They're making a commitment to keep storm drains clear of leaves, trash, and other debris -- and doing so year-round --as a way of directly improving the water quality of Como Lake and connected waterways. Here's how to adopt one or more drains near your home, school, organization, or business:
  • Go to www.adopt-a-drain.org. Create an account.
  • After you create your account, type in your address and click "Find storm drains." The site will generate an interactive map of all the storm drains near your address.
  • Red means the drain is available. Green means someone already has it. Pick one (or more) of the available drains. You can even give your drain a name.
Where everybody wins: Word has it that the Monitor newspaper will have an article in this month's issue, promoting the "adopt a drain" challenge. District 10 entered the friendly competition with the Hamline-Midway and Macalester-Groveland district councils; now Highland Park and Union Park want a piece of the action, too.
Don't Bag It Yet
If you've got a Treegator or similar watering bag wrapped around your new boulevard tree, keep using it until the ground freezes. Continued watering supports continued root growth , Saint Paul Forestry says. Once the ground freezes -- typically mid-November -- remove the bag, store it for the winter, then put the bag back on in early spring.

It Was Inevitable
Shelters, pavilions, and restrooms are closed for the season at all Ramsey County parks. Portable restrooms will be available through fall in most parks, and available through in winter near all boat launches. 
No, You Can't Get Through
The interchange at Highway 36, Cleveland Ave., and I-35W will be a complete detour from 7:00 tonight, Friday Oct. 5, through 5 a.m. this Monday, Oct. 8. The details:
  • The ramp from Highway 36 to northbound 35W is closed
  • The ramp from southbound 35W to southbound Cleveland to County Road B is closed
  • The ramps from northbound Cleveland Ave. to Highway 36 are closed
  • The ramp from southbound Cleveland to eastbound Highway 36 is closed
  • The ramp from westbound Highway 36 to southbound Cleveland is closed
Conservatory Gets Colorful
This Saturday, Oct. 6, is a big day for flower folks at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory. First, the annual fall flower show opens. It features hundreds of vibrant chrysanthemums, chard, and peppers. You can visit daily from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. through Nov. 25.

But this Saturday is the only day adults can take part in the Conservatory's Orchid Odyssey. The event, from 8:30-10 a.m., offers a behind-the-scenes tour of the Orchid House, gets you up close with the Conservatory's extensive orchid collection, and offers all sorts of advice to grow your own orchids at home. Cost is $15, and space is limited.
Spring Café Launches Daily Deals
With summer crowds and sunlight fading, Spring Café is creating daily specials so we have an extra excuse to keep the Lakeside Pavilion part of our regular circuit. Plus, the restaurant keeps tweaking its menu, including adding hot soup for colder weather.
  • Every day: Happy hour, 4-6 p.m., with $3 pints and $5 tacos.
  • Taco Tuesdays, 5 p.m.-close. ($5 tacos or nachos, $3 chips and guacamole)
  • Wine (and Cheese) Wednesdays, 5 p.m.-close ($5 wine, $10 cheese and charcuterie tray)
  • Date Night Thursdays, 5 p.m.-close (1 starter, 2 sandwiches or entrees, 2 drinks, $25 -- or $20 if the drinks are no alcohol)
  • Fish Fry Friday, 5 p.m.-close
In addition, there's trivia every Thursday, with two games between 6 and 8 p.m.
Indoors and Outdoors at the Fairgrounds
  • Minnesota Harvest Horse Show: Through this Sunday, Oct. 7, Warner Coliseum, AgStar Arena, Horse and Cattle Barns. Grand Prix Show, Coliseum, 7:30 p.m. Saturday Tickets: $12 in advance, $14 at the door.
  • Twin Cities Oktoberfest: Today-Saturday, Oct. 5-6, Progress Center. Hours: Friday 5-11 p.m., Saturday, noon-11 p.m. $30
  • Half-Price Books Clearance: Today-Sunday, Oct. 5-7, Grandstand. Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. each day. Free admission.
  • Fall ComiCon: This Saturday, Oct. 6, Education Building. Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission: $10
  • Parking and shuttles for University of Minnesota football: This Saturday, Oct. 6, Robin Lot (south and east of Randall Ave.) Gophers play Iowa at 2:30 p.m.
Don't Overlook These
  • Today, Friday Oct. 5: Deadline to pay City of Saint Paul storm sewer and street maintenance fees.
  • Friday Oct. 26: Halloween Bonfire, 6-8 p.m. Northwest Como Recreation Center.
  • Friday Oct. 26: Parks After Dark: Owl Prowl, 7-8:30 p.m., Como Park Streetcar Station. $5. Register now
  • Sunday Oct. 28: Mayor's "Voice of Our Community" session, noon, Lakeside Pavilion. 
Personal Safety Workshop is Wednesday
Saint Paul Police hold a personal safety workshop this Wednesday, Oct. 10, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Western District headquarters, 389 N. Hamline. The workshop shares practical tips to reduce the chances you will be a crime victim at home, at work, or when you're out and about. 
Streetcar Station is Open Sunday
The exhibit space at the Como Park Streetcar Station is open this Sunday, Oct. 7, from noon-4 p.m. Stop in to learn a bit about Como Park history, pick up replacement organics recycling bags, or just share comments and suggestions with the District 10 board member on duty. The Streetcar Station is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton.  (Note: From now until spring, the station opens only on the first Sunday of each month.) 
Spread the Word
District 10 is one of Saint Paul's 17 citizen participation districts. The District 10 Como Community Council is a nonprofit organization, governed by a Board of Directors who are elected by members of the community. The Council's mission is to inform, educate, and connect the neighborhood to increase community pride and confidence. 

You are receiving this email because you expressed interest in District 10 activities.